Practical
The unglamorous but essential parts of a Baltistan trip: paperwork, cash, altitude, packing, food and how not to cause offence.
No permit is needed for Skardu, Shigar, Khaplu or Deosai — a CNIC for Pakistanis or a valid visa and passport for foreigners is enough. Carry ID at all times; there are registration checkposts on the road in and near some valleys. Restricted-zone permits apply only to certain expedition and border areas, and licensed operators handle those.
Skardu city has ATMs, but they run dry in peak season and most hotels outside the city are cash-only. Bring more cash than you think you need. SCOM and Jazz give the best coverage; Deosai, Basho and Hushe have effectively none. Hotel Wi-Fi exists but is slow.
Skardu city at 2,230 m affects almost nobody, but Deosai at 4,000 m+ causes headaches and breathlessness in many visitors. Don't camp high on your first night, drink far more water than usual, and skip alcohol. The district hospital in Skardu handles basics; anything serious means a flight out.
Layers, always. Valley days in July can hit 32°C while Deosai nights drop below freezing. Bring a warm jacket even in mid-summer, strong sun protection, lip balm, sturdy shoes, a power bank and any prescription medicines — pharmacies are limited outside the city.
Balti cuisine is worth seeking out: mamtu dumplings, prapu noodles, balay soup, apricot-oil dishes and endless salted or sweet chai. Trout is the local speciality at the lakes. Tap water should be filtered or boiled.
Baltistan is conservative and overwhelmingly hospitable. Dress modestly, ask before photographing people — especially women — and accept the tea you'll inevitably be offered. Friday afternoons are quiet in the bazaar.
Next: check the best time to visit and pick an itinerary.